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Effects of acupuncture on cardiovascular risks in patients with hypertension: a Korean cohort study

Hyejin Jung1,2, Sujung Yeo3, Sabina Lim1,2

  • 1Research Group of Pain and Neuroscience, East-West Medical Research Institute, 26723Kyung Hee University and WHO Collaborating Center for Traditional Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.

Acupuncture in Medicine : Journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society
|June 23, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Acupuncture may significantly reduce major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality in hypertensive patients. This study supports acupuncture as a complementary therapy for hypertension management and cardiovascular disease prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Integrative Medicine
  • Hypertension Management

Background:

  • Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
  • Effective management strategies for hypertension are crucial to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
  • Exploring complementary therapies like acupuncture can offer additional benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of acupuncture on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), myocardial infarction, stroke, and death.
  • To assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in hypertensive patients receiving anti-hypertensive medications.
  • To evaluate acupuncture's role in reducing cardiovascular disease burden.

Main Methods:

  • A large cohort of 59,370 hypertensive patients on anti-hypertensives was identified from the Korean NHIS-NSC database (2003-2006).
  • Patients were divided into acupuncture and non-acupuncture groups, followed until MACE, myocardial infarction, stroke, or death.
  • Propensity score matching (PSM) created comparable groups (18,011 each); hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazard models.

Main Results:

  • Acupuncture was associated with significantly lower HRs for MACE (0.83), all-cause mortality (0.73), and myocardial infarction (0.85).
  • Acupuncture significantly reduced the risk of stroke-related mortality, ischemic heart disease mortality, and circulatory system disease mortality.
  • These findings were robust after propensity score matching, indicating a protective effect of acupuncture.

Conclusions:

  • This long-term observational study provides evidence for acupuncture's effectiveness in managing hypertension.
  • Acupuncture may play a role in reducing the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events and mortality in hypertensive patients.
  • Acupuncture can be considered a valuable complementary therapy for hypertension and cardiovascular disease prevention.
Abstract

Keywords:
acupuncturehazard ratiohypertensionincidence ratemajor adverse cardiovascular eventsmortalitymyocardial infarction

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